Scott McDonald: Time we found our way on the road map

For Celtic, a harsh reality is now inescapable. A proud football club, their Champions League record away from home has now become a source of embarrassment.

Not, perhaps, for the current players sardined onto a flight to Valencia yesterday.

As striker Scott McDonald pointed out, none of the existing players were in situ the night it all began in 2001 with a shocking penalty decision in the Stadio delle Alpi in Turin. A 3-2 defeat to Juventus set in motion a depressingly familiar pattern. In the years since, the group stages of European football's blueriband competition have been a schizophrenic mind trip.

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Champions League hoop: McDonald believes Celtic can get a result in Spain

At home, Celtic remain formidable, a fearful prospect for opponents. On the road, they are quite a different proposition. One point from 15 group-stage games offers a paltry return for a carbon footprint now in danger of becoming a suffocating trudge.

Under Strachan, the turnover of playing personnel has been brisk, yet the results on continental fields remain the same. As a result, new players and old alike now find themselves carrying the baggage for years of zipped-up European frustration.

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McDonald became the latest to address the issue yesterday, saying: 'I wouldn't say we are embarrassed. If we had been at Celtic for nine years and not taken anything away from home, then, yes, we would be pretty down about it.

'However, we must be optimistic and believe we can get a result. There are some more new faces here, good players. Hopefully, we can do it this time around.'

The portents for Villarreal look unpromising. Since 1962, Celtic have visited Spain 11 times, losing eight. Drawn games with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona provide rare beams of light in a dark tale.

Onto a winner? Strachan will be hoping Celtic can beat their away-day blues to win at Villarreal

Yesterday, few could offer much more than a grainy memory of the Lisbon Lions overcoming Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in a testimonial game for Alfredo di Stefano weeks after becoming champions of Europe in 1967.

Since then, there have been no victories beyond an aggregate away-goals win over Celta Vigo on the road to the UEFA Cup Final in Seville five years ago.

The grounds for optimism are slight even before you consider that Villarreal are currently jointtop of La Liga and formidable performers in Europe.

Just three times in their history, have Villarreal tasted defeat in the Madrigal Stadium, winning 23 times and drawing nine. Roma, Inter Milan, Zenit St Petersburg, Manchester United, Everton, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Celtic themselves have all come a cropper in this citadel of the European game.

Although the odds against Celtic defying logic here are long indeed, McDonald remains upbeat: 'It's a challenge, isn't it,' he said. 'Hopefully, we can prove the doubters wrong.

'A lot of people have already said it's over for us in terms of reaching the last 16. We had no points at this stage last year, although we had a home game in our second match. So a point here would be great.

Honest: McDonald knows it will be difficult in Spain but believes Celtic have got what it takes to get a result

'Villarreal got a fantastic result in Manchester against United. We know they are quality opposition.

'La Liga is probably the best league in football, along with the Premiership, so we are up against two clubs who play in the best competitions in the world. That's tough. But we are confident we can get something.

'Why is our away record so bad? If I could put my finger on it, then I'd change things, wouldn't I?

'It is strange. We had a bad start against Shakhtar Donetsk in the opening game last year when we lost two quick goals. That killed us off that night.

'The Milan match was tight as well, as was Benfica, so if we can keep it tight in Villarreal early on, get their fans frustrated, I'm sure that will help us.'

More than one player, McDonald possibly included, will have to accept a place on the bench tonight.

On arrival in Villarreal yesterday, the Australian striker made a presentation to the Submari Celtic Supporters' Club, which was formed in the aftermath of the Parkhead side's last visit here in 2004.

For Celtic, the acts of friendship begin and end there. The days of being inoffensive houseguests have to end sometime.